Receiving and heeding a Warning

Albany - You've heard meteorologists talk about the weather radio, but do you know how they work. The NOAA radio can save your life, if a storm is headed your way.

The weather radio alerts you to severe weather up to 50 miles away from your home, sounding a high pitched warning.

"The alarm will wake you up in the middle of the night if a storms is near your home. It works on batteries, giving you warnings even if the power goes out in your neighborhood," said Scott Wheeler, Radio Shack.

The radio gives you a warning, but it's up to you to act. "If you hear a tornado warning, you should immediately go to the basement or lowest part of your home," said Assistant Fire Chief James Carswell. "If you don't have a basement, go to the inner-most part of your home and don't stand near windows."

If you live in a mobile home, seek shelter elsewhere if possible. Always take the radio alerts and the county weather alarms seriously. They can save your life.

Weather radios cost between $25 and $70 and can be bought at most electronic stores.